Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture has intensified efforts to teach farmers modern conservation agriculture techniques aimed at reducing soil erosion and improving productivity.
According to Jean Claude Kayisinga, a senior official at the institution, Rwanda currently loses millions of tons of topsoil every year because of unsustainable farming methods.
He explained that conservation agriculture helps farmers protect the soil while also lowering farming costs.
“One farmer told us he used to spend Rwf10,000 working on his farm, but after adopting conservation methods, he now spends only Rwf6,000,” Kayisinga said.
Students at RICA say they are preparing to spread the knowledge to rural communities after graduation.
Second-year student Jean Bosco Irahari said he witnessed severe erosion growing up in Gicumbi District, where heavy rains often destroyed crops and swept away fertile land.
RICA has already launched outreach programs in districts including Bugesera, Kirehe, and Gakenke.
